Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 18-year-old Sevehn J. Venable of Buffalo has been arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case, acting as a Buffalo City Court Judge, on one count of Intimidating a Victim or Witness in the Third Degree, a Class “E” felony.

The defendant is accused of intimidating a witness to a crime in a pending case against him by calling the witness and making threats over the phone.

In the underlying case, it is alleged that on April 8, 2020, at approximately 11:16 p.m., the defendant shot a victim inside a vehicle on Madison Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim was taken to ECMC to be treated for the injury.

Sevehn was arraigned on April 9, 2020 before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan, acting as a Buffalo City Court Judge, on three counts of Assault in the First Degree, Class “B” violent felonies, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” violent felony.  Venable posted $35,000 bail and was released from custody.

This morning, Judge Case revoked bail in the assault case. Venable was held without bail on both matters. Venable is scheduled to return on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.

If convicted on all charges, Venable faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.  

DA Flynn commends Lt. Jon Pietrzak of the Buffalo Police Department and E District patrol officers for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick B. Shanahan of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.